Springfield-Greene County Library District discussion

The ReadUps topic for March is Science & Nature!

Book options for this month could include science-y nonfiction, fictional stories that celebrate nature, "lab lit" or science fiction.

To start us off, let us know some of your favorite books on these topics!

If you need ideas for some science and nature books to read, check out these lists:

50 Must-Read books on Nature and Science via Book Riot

16 of the Best Science Books of All Time via Book Riot

82 Best Nature Books of All Time via Book Authority

20 of the Best Science Fiction Books Everyone Should Read via Wired

Thanks!

I know this was a topic for March, and I am sorry that I missed it! I guess I was distracted, but looks like many others were as well, as there was not much participation here. But I love books about nature, and so I want to chime in now, even though I am a few months late, to add some of my beloved titles. A few years ago I discovered Edwin Way Teale, and I love his books. He was a scientist, and a naturalist. He and his wife Nellie made 4 season long trips around this country, and each trip/season culminated in a book about that trip. These books are packed full of information about the natural world, and about many of the most beautiful places in this land. I kept a notebook as I read, and made numerous lists of new places I hope to visit, many very out-of-way sites. I started with the last seasonal book Wandering Through Winter: A Naturalist's Record of a 20,000-Mile Journey Through the North American Winter. Any of his books are great, and I came to love he and his wife Nellie as I read their thoughts and words on their journeys.
One other author I want to mention here is [author :Belden C. Lane|123405]. I loved his book Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking as Spiritual Practice, which is about Mr. Lane's many hiking trips in southeast Missouri. There is much about the geology and landscape of the Ozarks. As Mr. Lane is a minister (one of the few Presbyterians who is a professor at St. Louis University), he also reflects on the many spiritual teachers who have influenced his life, and tells of whatever spiritual tome he happens to be carrying with him on that particular hiking trip. This book is one I truly treasure, and bought for both my kids.

Janice wrote: "I know this was a topic for March, and I am sorry that I missed it! I guess I was distracted, but looks like many others were as well, as there was not much participation here. But I love books abo..."

No problem, Janice--always feel free to go back and post on older boards! We always like to go back and revisit previous topics. Especially for March, because our discussion got cut a bit short when we shut down due to COVID-19.

All of these books sounds great and I'm adding them all to my list! Edwin Way Teale's books sound especially intriguing, so I'm going to start with "Wandering Through Winter." Unfortunately our library doesn't own it, but Mobius (the system through which we can borrow other Missouri libraries) came to the rescue! Have you been able to visit any of the places that you wrote down from his books yet?

"Backpacking with the Saints" looks really good, too. I love hiking but I haven't read many books about it, so I'd like to check it out. I think it's interesting to examine the connection between spirituality and nature. It makes sense because not only does viewing the beauty of nature inspire spiritual thoughts, but being away from the bustle of everyday life makes it easier to focus on inner thoughts.

Heather wrote: "Janice wrote: "I know this was a topic for March, and I am sorry that I missed it! I guess I was distracted, but looks like many others were as well, as there was not much participation here. But I..."
I used Mobius for all those books, so glad it's available for us again! I keep a running list of books I can only get through Mobius.

I agree completely with your comments on nature and spiritual connectedness. One of my close friends' Dad used to say, when he headed outdoors on their farm, "I'm going out to the big church". I feel that way too.